So buy away and enjoy...like Eric said, they have a lot on their plates (I can't believe how many games, expansions, computer games, etc Days of Wonder has put out this year!) and it could be a while before you see this mysterious plan come about. So I would say get the iPad version and trust that DoW will make the new thing available in a fair way.

I just recently bought the new iPad and immediately bought small world for it, as well as the expansions. I was surprised at how long it has been since there has been an update. I would love online multiplayer. Also, I'd want 3-player so much I'd pay for it like an expansion since there are often 3 people who want to play.